The power and brightness of electron-impact micro-focus X-ray sources have long been limited by thermal damage in the
anode. Here we describe a novel X-ray microfocus source based on a new anode concept, the liquid-metal-jet anode
(MetalJet). The regenerative nature of this anode allows for significantly higher e-beam power density than on conventional
anodes, resulting in this source generating significantly higher brightness than other X-ray tubes in the microfocus regime
(~5-50 μm). We describe the fundamental properties of the technology and will review the current status specifically in
terms of spot size, stability, lifetime, flux, acceleration voltage and brightness.
We report on our progress towards the experimental realization of a liquid-metal-jet-anode x-ray source with high brightness. We have previously shown that this electron-impact source has potential for very high x-ray brightness by combining small-spot high-flux operation of the electron beam with high-speed operation of the regenerative liquid-metal-jet anode. In the present paper we review the system and describe theoretical calculations for improving the 50 kV, 600 W electron-beam focussing to ~30 μm spot size. With such a system the power density on the liquid-metal-jet would be ~400 kW/mm2, i.e., more than an order of magnitude higher than the power density on a state-of-the-art rotating anode.
We have demonstrated a new electron-impact hard-x-ray source based on a liquid-metal-jet anode in a proof-of-principle experiment. Initial calculations show that this new anode concept potentially allows a >100x increase in source brightness compared to today's compact hard-x-ray sources. In this paper we report on the scale up of the system to medium electron-beam power resulting in a brightness comparable to current state-of-the-art sources. The upgraded system combines a ~20-μm diameter liquid-tin jet operating at ~60 m/s with a 50 kV, 600 W electron beam focused to ~150 μm FWHM. We describe the properties of the current system, experimental results, as well as a brief discussion of key issues for future high-power scaling.
We describe a novel electron-impact x-ray source based on a high-speed liquid-metal-jet anode. Thermal power load calculations indicate that this new anode concept potentially could increase the achievable brightness in compact electron-impact x-ray sources by more than a factor 100 compared to current state-of-the-art rotating-anode or microfocus sources. A first, successful, low-power proof-of-principle experiment is described and the feasibility of scaling to high-brightness and high-power operation is discussed. Some possible applications that would benefit from such an increase in brightness are also briefly described.
We introduce a novel electron-impact x-ray source based on a high-speed liquid-metal-jet anode. Basic thermal power load calculations indicate that this new anode concept potentially could increase the achievable brightness in compact electron-impact x-ray sources by more than a factor 100 compared to current state-of-the-art rotating-anode or micro-focus sources. A first, successful, low-power proof-of-principle experiment is described and the feasibility of scaling to high-brightness and high-power operation is discussed. Some possible applications that would benefit from such an increase in brightness are also briefly described.
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